Drover

Sorry about that I thought the first reply had got lost somewhere.

Thanks for that, looks like the secretary lives just around the corner from me. Jason

Thanks for that Spooky, just had a look at the site and looks like the secretary lives 5 min up the road. Jason

LOL, I'm not too sure there would be much call for Tasmanian Devil harness. Getting it onto one of the little buggars would be something I would love to watch though. Cheers Jason

I have just moved into Tasmania and am looking for someone knowledgeable in harness and saddlery making to bounce ideas off and give general advice to me. If someone knows of anyone in Tassie that has knowledge in this area please let me know. I am not looking to do it commercially, just as a hobby. Thanks Jason

The thread has finally turned up, I haven't used any to sew with yet, but I made a 4 strand thread to see what it is like. The staple length is very good (as good as the Hemp I have used), it gives a long tail that makes it easy to set your needle on. It also seems to take the wax well.

Thanks for your reply amuckart. I have ordered some and am waiting for it to turn up, will let you know when I finally get to try some. What is the dry-spun 10/1 like to work with? I am wanting to use hand rolled thread more, I like the control it gives you over your threads.

Has anyone tried Thrum Natural Thread? On Abbey England's website it says it is 'best alternative to best common hemp'. I was just thinking of giving some a go and thought I would ask. Thanks Jason

Thanks Mad Max, I have just found it in a No 12 from a shoe supply wholesaler near me. Will that do? Is a number 12 finer than a No 10? Is thread graded the same way as wire and needles?

Kevin, That sounds like it, It was single ply. Any idea where I can get it? Or even if you can still get it?

Up until now I have just been using a waxed poly thread, and that has been going ok, nice and easy to use. When I was a kid the local saddler helped me to make a bridle, I am trying to figure out what thread he had me use. Now my memory could he hazy, but from memory it was a flat thread maybe white or off white, I can remember rolling it on my leg and had to give it a sharp tug to make it stay round before I could use it. I can't remember if I had to wax it. Sorry for being vague but thats about all I can remember, I thought about asking the saddler but I don't know where he is now, and I have moved away. Any help would be great, as I am wanting to try using it again. Drover

Thankyou for the reply's I will send you a Pm Jim, I am just outside Brisbane. Thanks again Jason

I have just started to play around with a sewing machine (132K6) I have just bought, and was trying to sew two strips of leather together to make some reins the other day, I was rather close to the edge. The leather kept going out the left hand side and I am having trouble keeping the leather straight with just holding it. I was just wondering if it just requires more practice or is there something else I should be doing. Also is there some way I can slow the machine down, at least until I get better at controlling it, I was thinking about putting a smaller bit on the end of the motor, I think that would slow it down, but I don't know how small I can go, or where I would get one. Jason

I am only new here, and new to leather work. I am interested in making show halters for my horses. I breed Clydesdale's and have had a lot of trouble finding halters to fit my horses that aren't little fine things made for warmbloods. The main thing I am asking at the moment is what tools should I get to start with? I will look at making some plow harness in the future when I look at breaking in the current gelding I am showing, I have old stuff to take templates from but it is not good enough to go into the ring at a big show. Thank you Drover